Genting's casino plan features outdoor lagoon and 10 million sq. ft. of glitz

A 3.6-acre outdoor lagoon — equivalent to 12 Olympic-size swimming pools and surrounded by natural sand beaches — is the centerpiece of the $3 billion master plan unveiled Wednesday by the Genting Group for Resorts World Miami.

The massive 10 million-square-foot mixed-use development that draws its inspiration from the region’s coral reefs is unlike anything South Florida has seen before in terms of sheer magnitude and design. With plans for four hotels, two condominium towers, more than 50 restaurants and bars and a luxury retail shopping mall, it’s being billed as one of the largest projects in Florida history. And that’s without the casino Genting hopes to be able to include in the project.

“This will put Miami on the map and make it a destination,” said Bernardo Fort-Brescia, co-founder of Arquitectonica, which is designing the project. “Miami has not seen resorts of this importance, Orlando has and maybe Las Vegas. This will make Miami more than competitive. It will have an advantage.”

Key to the proposal is legislative approval of Las Vegas-style casinos and Genting Group president Colin Au offered up the pitch: “We believe due to the very high unemployment rate, depressed economy and the continued uncertain outlook, it is the right time for Florida to permit a multi-billion dollar destination resort in Miami-Dade and Broward counties where racino and Indian casinos are already operating.” More here.